CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/020,187, filed on May 5, 2020, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] This disclosure relates to vertical transport apparatus and, more particularly, to vertical transport apparatus for enabling a climber and/or an object to ascend or descend a vertical structure or surface along an elongated member such as a rope or a cable.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Climbing is the activity of using one's hands, feet, or any other part of the body to ascend or descend a steep topographical object. It is done for locomotion, recreation, and competition, and within trades that rely on ascension/descension; such as emergency rescue and military operations. It is done indoors and out, and on natural and man-made structures. For instance, pole or mast climbing is effectuated by seaman for ensuring that sails are properly supported. The conventional method of climbing the mast is to sit in a harness or bosun’s chair while the deck crew hoist you to the top using a halyard and a winch.

SUMMARY

[0004] According to one aspect, a vertical transport apparatus is provided. The vertical transport apparatus includes a housing, a motor supported by the housing, a first drum, a second drum, and a tensioning control assembly. The first and second drums are operatively coupled to the motor and positioned to rotate relative to the housing. The first and second drums are positioned to enable rope to move (e.g., cam or slide) therearound so that the housing can selectively ascend or descend along the rope. The tensioning control assembly is engaged with the rope to maintain the rope engaged with the first and second drums. [0005] In aspects of this disclosure, the vertical transport apparatus may further include a plurality of gears operably associated with the motor and the first and second drums to facilitate rotation of the first and second drums.

[0006] In aspects of this disclosure, the vertical transport apparatus may further include a manual crank handle that is positioned to bypass the motor for manually rotating the first and second drums.

[0007] In aspects of this disclosure, the housing may include one or more plates that rotatably support the first and second drums. The one or more plate may include a rope capture assembly for guiding the rope into and out of the housing. The rope capture assembly may include spaced-apart guide posts that extend from the one or more plates. The spaced-apart guide posts may be positioned to maintain the rope therebetween.

[0008] In aspects of this disclosure, the vertical transport apparatus may further include a gearbox assembly operably associated with the first and second drums to control an amount of rotation of the first and second drums.

[0009] In aspects of this disclosure, the tension control assembly may include a shoe that rotatably supports a tension screw and a tractor roller that is slidably disposed on the shoe. The tractor roller may be positioned to engage the rope upon a rotation of the tension screw to apply a residual tension to the rope. The shoe may include a tension mount that is coupled to the tension screw and is positioned to engage the tractor roller to move the tractor roller along the shoe. The tractor roller may have a textured surface configured to engage the rope to support the rope between the tractor roller and a shoe cover of the shoe.

[0010] According to yet another aspect, this disclosure is directed to vertical transport apparatus including a housing; a motor supported by the housing, first and second drums, and a pivotable handle assembly. The first and second drums are operatively coupled to the motor and positioned to rotate relative to the housing. The first and second drums are positioned to enable a rope to move therearound so that the housing can selectively ascend or descend along the rope. The pivotable handle assembly is selectively actuatable to cause the vertical transport apparatus to move relative to the rope. The pivotable handle assembly may be secured to a linkage assembly that is actuatable to selectively to move a cleat assembly engaged with the rope.

[0011] In aspects of this disclosure, the vertical transport apparatus may further include a motor direction switch that is operable to control a direction of movement of the vertical transport apparatus along the rope when the pivotable handle assembly is actuated.

[0012] In aspects of this disclosure, the vertical transport apparatus may further include a toggle switch coupled to the pivotable handle assembly and electrically coupled to the motor to actuate the motor when the pivotable handle assembly is actuated.

[0013] Other aspects, features, and advantages will be apparent from the description, the drawings, and the claims that follow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0014] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate aspects of the disclosure and, together with a general description of the disclosure given above and the detailed description given below, serve to explain the principles of this disclosure, wherein:

[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a vertical transport apparatus secured to a rope of mast rigging of a sail boat;

[0016] FIGS. 2 and 3 are enlarged, perspective views of the vertical transport apparatus, the vertical transport apparatus shown mounted to a rope;

[0017] FIGS. 4-6 are perspective views of the vertical transport apparatus shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 with portions thereof removed for clarity;

[0018] FIG. 6A is an enlarged, cross-sectional, perspective view of a portion of the vertical transport apparatus of FIGS. 1-6 with a rope guide thereof shown partially hidden;

[0019] FIG. 6B is a perspective view of the rope guide of FIG. 6A; [0020] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the vertical transport apparatus of FIGS. 1-6 with a crank handle thereof removed and replaced with a cap;

[0021] FIG. 8 is a perspective view, with parts separated, of the vertical transport apparatus of FIGS. 1-6;

[0022] FIGS. 9 and 10 are perspective views of the vertical transport apparatus of FIGS. 1-6 with parts removed for clarity;

[0023] FIGS. 11-14 are side progressive views illustrating movement of parts of the vertical transport apparatus of FIGS. 1-6 to effectuate rope capture and release;

[0024] FIG. 15 is an enlarged, perspective view of a tensioning assembly of the vertical transport apparatus of FIGS. 1-6;

[0025] FIG. 16 is a perspective view, with parts separated, of the tensioning assembly of FIG. 15;

[0026] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the vertical transport apparatus of FIGS. 1-6;

[0027] FIG. 18 is an enlarged, cross-sectional view of a portion of the vertical transport apparatus of FIGS. 1-6 as taken along section line 18-18 shown in FIG. 17;

[0028] FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a portion of the vertical transport apparatus of FIGS. 1-6;

[0029] FIG. 20 is an enlarged, cross-sectional view of a portion of the vertical transport apparatus of FIGS. 1-6 as taken along section line 20-20 shown in FIG. 19;

[0030] FIG. 21 is a wiring diagram of electrical components of the vertical transport apparatus of FIGS. 1-20 and includes subfigures FIG. 21 A, FIG. 21B, and FIG. 21C, which are separate portions of FIG. 21 as indicated in FIG. 21;

[0031] FIG. 22 is a perspective view of the vertical transport apparatus of FIGS. 1-6, with portions removed to illustrate a brake circuit thereof; and [0032] FIG. 23 is a perspective view of another aspect of the vertical transport apparatus in accordance with the principles of this disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] Aspects of the disclosed vertical transport apparatus are described in detail with reference to the drawings, in which like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding elements in each of the several views. As commonly known, the term “proximal” refers to the portion of structure that is closer to a user and the term “distal” refers to the portion of structure that is farther from the user. In addition, directional terms such as front, rear, upper, lower, top, bottom, and the like are used simply for convenience of description and are not intended to limit the disclosure attached hereto.

[0034] In the following description, well-known functions or constructions are not described in detail to avoid obscuring the present disclosure in unnecessary detail.

[0035] Turning now to FIGS. 1-22, a vertical transport apparatus 10 is provided for tensioning an elongated member such as rope “R” to enable a climber and/or object secured to vertical transport apparatus 10 (via a harness clip 35) to ascend or descend along the rope “R.” The rope “R” of vertical transport apparatus 10 can be secured, for example, to a mast “M” of a sail boat “SB” (see FIG. 1) for enabling the climber and/or an object to ascend or descend along the mast “M.” Although vertical transport apparatus 10 can be configured to support any suitable weight, in some aspects, vertical transport apparatus 10 may support, for example, up to approximately 300 lbs. of weight, but such weight capacity may be scaled up or down as desired.

[0036] In general, vertical transport apparatus 10 includes a housing assembly 20 that supports rotatable drums 30, 32 around which rope “R” is tensioned to facilitate vertical movement of vertical transport apparatus 10 relative to rope “R.” The vertical transport apparatus 10 further includes a motor 40 and a gear box assembly 50 that cooperate via a plurality of gears 42, 57, 59, 60, 60a, 60b, etc. positioned about the housing assembly 20. As can be appreciated, the speed of the rope “R” is a product of a speed of motor 40 and a load applied to vertical transport apparatus 10. The vertical transport apparatus 10 further includes a tension control assembly 100 that maintains residual tension in the rope “R” (the remaining tension not already maintained by drums 30, 32) so that the rope “R” remains engaged with (e.g., in contact with) drums 30, 32. The vertical transport apparatus 10 further includes a manual crank handle assembly 110 that is engaged with gears 63, 60a, etc. via manual torque couplers 111-114 so that a climber can manually rotate the gears 63, 60a, etc. for manually descending/ascending vertical transport apparatus 10 along the rope “R” (e.g., as a safety feature when electronic components fail). In particular, motor 40 drives through a clutch 59x, and manual crank handle assembly 110 bypasses the clutch 59x via a drive gear 63 (e.g., a tractor gear) pinned to housing assembly 20 via mounting pin 63a. In aspects, manual crank handle assembly 110 may be configured to enable a climber to manually ascend/descend along the rope “R” as crank handle assembly 110 is cranked about a crank axis “C” (see FIG. 2).

[0037] As best seen in FIG. 8, housing assembly 20 includes a first housing 20a, a second housing 20b and a third housing 20c that support seals 2 lx for sealing components of vertical transport apparatus 10 therebetween. Housings 20a, 20b, 20c may include any suitable material such as polymeric materials. Seals 2 lx may be formed using any suitable technique such as additive (3D) printing using any suitable material such as synthetic rubber (e.g., thermoplastic elastomer). Housing assembly 20 further includes a first plate 22, a second plate 24, and a third plate 26 for supporting the various components of vertical transport apparatus 10. Plates 22, 24, and 26 may be formed of any suitable rigid material (e.g., metallic material such as aluminum). Third housing 20c and third plate 26 may be disposed at an offset angle relative to the other housings 20a, 20b and plates 22, 24. First and second plates 22, 24 define a plurality of openings 22a, 24a therethrough for supporting drums 30, 32, gear box assembly 50, and/or manual torque couplers 111, 112, 113 therein. First and second plates 22, 24 also support drum gears 60a, 60b, spacers 62a, 62b, 62c, and seal rings 62d. First plate 22 further includes a linkage stop 22b and rope capture assembly 22c. Rope capture assembly 22c includes spaced-apart guide posts 22d that extend from first plate 22 and a guide plate 22e that is fastened to guide posts 22d to slidably maintain rope “R” between guide posts 22d.

[0038] Drums 30, 32 of vertical transport apparatus 10, which may have any suitable cross- sectional profile (although only circular profiles are illustrated), are configured to maintain a majority of tension in the rope “R” consistent with the Capstan Equation. The formula for the Capstan Equation is Ti _oa d = Thoid e ^mf where Ti _oa d is the applied tension on the line, Thoid is the resulting force exerted at the other side of the capstan, m is the coefficient of friction between the rope and capstan material, and f is the total angle swept by all tums/wraps of the rope, measured in radians (e.g., with on full turn f=2p). In aspects, rope “R” can be wrapped, according to the Capstan Equation, approximately 6 or 6. 5 times around drums 30, 32 (e.g., 3 times each drum), for example, although any suitable number of wrappings may be utilized.

[0039] Gearbox assembly 50 generally includes a gearbox 52, a gearbox mount 54 for mounting gearbox 52 to first plate 22, a ring 56, an idler gear 57, a coupler 58 that is connects idler gear 57 to gearbox 52 through plate 26, bearings 55 for rotatably supporting gearbox assembly 50 adjacent plate 26, and a gear mount 53 for securing gearbox assembly 50 to plate 26. Gearbox assembly 50 also includes a control gear 59 that engages with drum gear 60b. Idler gear 57 is coupled to an input gear 42 that rotates idler gear 57. Input gear 42 is coupled to motor 20 and secured to plate 26 via gear mount 53. Gear mount 53 has a Y-shaped profile to facilitate securement of gearbox assembly 50 to plate 26, although any suitable profile may be provided. Housing 20c is secured to plate 26 (e.g., via any number of fasteners such as screws) to retain and protect idler and input gears 57, 42.

[0040] The vertical transport apparatus 10 further includes a pivotable handle assembly 70 that is secured to a linkage assembly 80 and is actuatable to selectively disengage a cleat assembly 85 to enable the vertical transport apparatus 10 to move relative to the rope “R” while the rope “R” slides along drums 30, 32 as drums 30, 32 rotate in clockwise and/or clockwise directions under the applied load (e.g., gravitational force applied from the weight of the climber). Pivotable handle assembly 70 includes a handle 70a, pivot arms 70b that couple handle 70a to housing assembly 20, and a toggle switch assembly 72 that are secured to housing assembly 20 (e.g., via various fastening members 70c). Toggle switch assembly 72 is disposed in electrical communication with a motor direction switch 90. Motor direction switch 90 determines in which direction the motor 40, various gears 57, 59, 60a, 60b, etc, drums 30, 32, and other rotating components rotate, and whether the vertical transport apparatus 10 ascends or descends along the rope “R” when handle assembly 70 is actuated. [0041] Housing assembly 20 also supports various electronics and a power supply (e.g., a battery or battery assembly not explicitly shown) that are in electrical communication with, for example, motor direction switch 90, a toggle switch 72 of handle assembly 70, and/or battery LED’s 130 (e.g., that indicate battery power level). In aspects, power supply may be solar powered. Housing assembly 20 can include a power supply enclosure that supports power supply and/or tethered controls.

[0042] FIG. 21 and subfigures FIGS. 21A, 21B, and 21C illustrate one example of a wiring diagram circuit of electronics components of vertical transport apparatus 10, which may include, for example, a printed circuit board 200, an Arduino 210, and various electrical components 220. In aspects, the electronic components may include an electric brake 230 to help facilitate braking of vertical transport apparatus 10 (see also FIG. 22). Electric brake 230 is configured to absorb brake energy during, for example, a no power descent so that heat energy can be dissipated, for instance, through plate 24.

[0043] With reference again to FIG. 8, linkage assembly 80 includes a rod 82 that couples to pivot arms 70b of pivotable handle assembly 70 and first and second plates 22, 24. Linkage assembly 80 further includes a rod mount 84 coupled to a first linkage 86 supporting rod 82 and a second linkage 88 pivotally coupled to first linkage 86 and which extends to a cleat 88a. Linkage assembly 80 further includes a pivot finger 89 that extends laterally from cleat 88a through first plate 22 and couples to cleat assembly 85.

[0044] Cleat assembly 85 includes pivotable segment gears 85a, 85b that are supported by bearings 85c, 85d, a support body 85e that supports segment gears 85a, 85b adjacent plate 22, biasing arms 85f, and a spring 85g on one side of plate 22 that couples biasing arms 85f together and normally spring-biases biasing arms 85f relative to one another for controlling movement of segment gears 85a, 85b of cleat assembly 85. Cleat assembly 85 further includes a cam cleat 85h supported on an opposite side of plate 22 and which extends through plate 22 to couple to segment gear 85a. Cleat assembly 85 is configured to selectively fix vertical transport apparatus 10 in position along the rope “R” to maintain a climber and/or object(s) at a desired height. [0045] Vertical transport apparatus 10 also includes a rope guide 120 that directs the rope “R” around drums 30, 32 so that rope “R” maintains proper alignment around drums 30, 32. Rope guide 120 operates in cooperation with rope guide ramps 22x (see FIG. 8) extending from first plate 22 to facilitate proper alignment of wraps of rope “R” around drums 30, 32.

[0046] As best seen in FIGS. 15 and 16, tension control assembly 100 includes a shoe 102 having a first end portion 102a that rotatably supports a tension screw 104a and a nut 104b, and a second end portion 102b in the form of a shoe cover. Second end portion 102b includes one or more rollers 103 to facilitate movement of rope “R” therealong. Although shown in FIG. 15 as having four rollers 103, any number of rollers 103 can be provided, including a single roller. Tension control assembly 100 also includes a tension mount 106 supported on a distal end portion of tension screw 104a by a washer 106a and a retaining clip 106b. Tension control assembly 100 further includes a tractor roller 108 that is slidably supported on shoe 102 and includes a textured periphery 108a (e.g., knurled) for selectively engaging rope “R” to capture rope “R” between textured periphery 108a of tractor roller 108 and shoe cover 102b to prevent rope “R” from moving relative to vertical transport apparatus 10 (or to slow rope “R” movement relative to vertical transport apparatus 10, depending upon an amount of force applied through tension screw 104a to tractor roller 108).

[0047] In use, with vertical transport apparatus 10 mounted on rope “R” (as seen in FIG. 1), a climber can attach, for example, a harness (not shown) worn by climber to harness clip 35 of vertical transport apparatus 10. Then, with the climber supported by vertical transport apparatus 10, the climber can actuate motor direction switch 90 as necessary to change travelling direction so vertical transport apparatus 10 will ascend or descend along rope “R” upon an actuation of pivot handle assembly 70, as indicated by arrow “A.” Tension control assembly 100 can also be actuated, for example, as indicated by arrows “B” to change an amount of tension on rope “R” to facilitate vertical movement of vertical transport apparatus 10 along rope “R” (e.g., via loosening tension screw 104a) or fixing position of vertical transport apparatus 10 relative to rope “R” (e.g., via tightening tension screw 104a).

[0048] With reference to FIGS. 9, 13 and 14, with tension control assembly 100 loosened, pivoting of handle assembly 70 in an actuation direction (e.g., downwardly) activates toggle switch 72 and causes motor 40 to rotate input gear 42. Rotation of input gear 42 causes gears 57, 59 to rotate, which causes gear 60b to rotate gears 60a so that drums 30, 32 rotate. Pivoting of handle assembly 70 in the actuation direction also drives linkage assembly 80 upwardly toward stop 22b, as indicated by arrow “C” so that cleats 88a and 85h pivot in opposing directions, as indicated by arrows “D,” against the spring bias of spring 85g and biasing arms 85f of cleat assembly 85, as illustrated by arrows Έ.” This pivoting movement of cleats 88a, 85h causes teeth 87 of cleats 88a, 85h to rotate away from rope “R” (e.g., downwardly) so that rope “R” can travel relative to cleats 88a, 85h and around drums 30, 32 as drums 30, 32 rotate to vertically move vertical transport apparatus 10 relative to rope “R,” as indicated by arrow “V” (see FIG. 2). The drum 30, 32 rotation speed (and thus speed of vertical movement of vertical transport apparatus 10 relative to rope “R”) can be proportional to an amount handle 70 is pivoted relative to an initial unactuated position thereof.

[0049] Once vertical transport apparatus 10 reaches a desired height along rope “R,” handle assembly 70 can be released and/or guided to the initial unactuated position thereof so that cleats 88a, 85h rotate back to their initial position to recapture rope “R” and prevent rope “R” from moving relative to cleats 88a, 85h. Spring 85g will urge handle assembly 70 toward the initial unactuated position to stop motor 40 and rotation of drums 30, 32. Tension screw 104a of tension control assembly 100 can then be tightened to maintain rope “R” engaged with drums 30, 32 when drums 30, 32 are stationary, for example, to maintain residual tension in rope “R.” This process can be repeated as desired to selectively ascend or descend to any number of positions or heights along rope “R.”

[0050] As described above, should electrical components fail, manual crank handle assembly 110 can be actuated to rotate drums 30, 32 through gear 63 to actuate various gears 60a, etc. so that a climber can manually cause vertical transport apparatus 10 to descend/ascend along the rope “R.”

[0051] As illustrated in FIG. 23, in aspects, with the various gears of vertical transport apparatus 10 adjusted/repositioned as appropriate, gear box assembly 50 may be supported in one of drums 30, 32 and motor 40 may be supported in the other of the drums 30, 32 to reduce the size and bulkiness of vertical transport apparatus 10. [0052] Moreover, the disclosed structure can include any suitable mechanical, electrical, and/or chemical components for operating the disclosed vertical transport apparatus or components thereof. For instance, such electrical components can include, for example, any suitable electrical and/or electromechanical, and/or electrochemical circuitry, which may include or be coupled to one or more printed circuit boards. As used herein, the term “controller” includes “processor,” “digital processing device” and like terms, and are used to indicate a microprocessor or central processing unit (CPU). The CPU is the electronic circuitry within a computer that carries out the instructions of a computer program by performing the basic arithmetic, logical, control and input/output (I/O) operations specified by the instructions, and by way of non-limiting examples, include server computers. In some aspects, the controller includes an operating system configured to perform executable instructions. The operating system is, for example, software, including programs and data, which manages hardware of the disclosed apparatus and provides services for execution of applications for use with the disclosed apparatus. Those of skill in the art will recognize that suitable server operating systems include, by way of non-limiting examples, FreeBSD, OpenBSD, NetBSD®, Linux, Apple® Mac OS X Server®, Oracle® Solaris®, Windows Server®, and Novell® NetWare®. In some aspects, the operating system is provided by cloud computing.

[0053] In some aspects, the term “controller” may be used to indicate a device that controls the transfer of data from a computer or computing device to a peripheral or separate device and vice versa, and/or a mechanical and/or electromechanical device (e.g., a lever, knob, etc.) that mechanically operates and/or actuates a peripheral or separate device.

[0054] In aspects, the controller includes a storage and/or memory device. The storage and/or memory device is one or more physical apparatus used to store data or programs on a temporary or permanent basis. In some aspects, the controller includes volatile memory and requires power to maintain stored information. In various aspects, the controller includes non-volatile memory and retains stored information when it is not powered. In some aspects, the non-volatile memory includes flash memory. In certain aspects, the non-volatile memory includes dynamic random- access memory (DRAM). In some aspects, the non-volatile memory includes ferroelectric random-access memory (FRAM). In various aspects, the non-volatile memory includes phase- change random access memory (PRAM). In certain aspects, the controller is a storage device including, by way of non-limiting examples, CD-ROMs, DVDs, flash memory devices, magnetic disk drives, magnetic tapes drives, optical disk drives, and cloud-computing-based storage. In various aspects, the storage and/or memory device is a combination of devices such as those disclosed herein.

[0055] In some aspects, the controller includes a display to send visual information to a user. In various aspects, the display is a cathode ray tube (CRT). In various aspects, the display is a liquid crystal display (LCD). In certain aspects, the display is a thin film transistor liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD). In aspects, the display is an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display. In certain aspects, on OLED display is a passive-matrix OLED (PMOLED) or active-matrix OLED (AMOLED) display. In aspects, the display is a plasma display. In certain aspects, the display is a video projector. In various aspects, the display is interactive (e.g., having a touch screen or a sensor such as a camera, a 3D sensor, a LiDAR, a radar, etc.) that can detect user interactions/gestures/responses and the like. In some aspects, the display is a combination of devices such as those disclosed herein.

[0056] The controller may include or be coupled to a server and/or a network. As used herein, the term “server” includes “computer server,” “central server,” “main server,” and like terms to indicate a computer or device on a network that manages the disclosed apparatus, components thereof, and/or resources thereof. As used herein, the term “network” can include any network technology including, for instance, a cellular data network, a wired network, a fiber optic network, a satellite network, and/or an IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac wireless network, among others.

[0057] In various aspects, the controller can be coupled to a mesh network. As used herein, a “mesh network” is a network topology in which each node relays data for the network. All mesh nodes cooperate in the distribution of data in the network. It can be applied to both wired and wireless networks. Wireless mesh networks can be considered a type of “Wireless ad hoc” network. Thus, wireless mesh networks are closely related to Mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs). Although MANETs are not restricted to a specific mesh network topology, Wireless ad hoc networks or MANETs can take any form of network topology. Mesh networks can relay messages using either a flooding technique or a routing technique. With routing, the message is propagated along a path by hopping from node to node until it reaches its destination. To ensure that all its paths are available, the network must allow for continuous connections and must reconfigure itself around broken paths, using self-healing algorithms such as Shortest Path Bridging. Self-healing allows a routing-based network to operate when a node breaks down or when a connection becomes unreliable. As a result, the network is typically quite reliable, as there is often more than one path between a source and a destination in the network. This concept can also apply to wired networks and to software interaction. A mesh network whose nodes are all connected to each other is a fully connected network.

[0058] In some aspects, the controller may include one or more modules. As used herein, the term “module” and like terms are used to indicate a self-contained hardware component of the central server, which in turn includes software modules. In software, a module is a part of a program. Programs are composed of one or more independently developed modules that are not combined until the program is linked. A single module can contain one or several routines, or sections of programs that perform a particular task.

[0059] As used herein, the controller includes software modules for managing various aspects and functions of the disclosed apparatus or components thereof.

[0060] The disclosed structure may also utilize one or more controllers to receive various information and transform the received information to generate an output. The controller may include any type of computing device, computational circuit, or any type of processor or processing circuit capable of executing a series of instructions that are stored in memory. The controller may include multiple processors and/or multicore central processing units (CPUs) and may include any type of processor, such as a microprocessor, digital signal processor, microcontroller, programmable logic device (PLD), field programmable gate array (FPGA), or the like. The controller may also include a memory to store data and/or instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform one or more methods and/or algorithms. [0061] Any of the herein described methods, programs, algorithms, or codes may be converted to, or expressed in, a programming language or computer program. The terms “programming language” and “computer program,” as used herein, each include any language used to specify instructions to a computer, and include (but is not limited to) the following languages and their derivatives: Assembler, Basic, Batch files, BCPL, C, C+, C++, Delphi, Fortran, Java, JavaScript, machine code, operating system command languages, Pascal, Perl, PL1, scripting languages, Visual Basic, metalanguages which themselves specify programs, and all first, second, third, fourth, fifth, or further generation computer languages. Also included are database and other data schemas, and any other meta-languages. No distinction is made between languages which are interpreted, compiled, or use both compiled and interpreted approaches. No distinction is made between compiled and source versions of a program. Thus, reference to a program, where the programming language could exist in more than one state (such as source, compiled, object, or linked) is a reference to any and all such states. Reference to a program may encompass the actual instructions and/or the intent of those instructions.

[0062] As can be appreciated, securement of any of the components of the disclosed apparatus can be effectuated using known securement techniques such welding, crimping, gluing, fastening, etc.

[0063] Persons skilled in the art will understand that the structures and methods specifically described herein and illustrated in the accompanying figures are non-limiting exemplary aspects, and that the description, disclosure, and figures should be construed merely as exemplary of particular aspects. It is to be understood, therefore, that this disclosure is not limited to the precise aspects described, and that various other changes and modifications may be effectuated by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the disclosure. Additionally, it is envisioned that the elements and features illustrated or described in connection with one exemplary aspect may be combined with the elements and features of another without departing from the scope of this disclosure, and that such modifications and variations are also intended to be included within the scope of this disclosure. Indeed, any combination of any of the disclosed elements and features is within the scope of this disclosure. Accordingly, the subject matter of this disclosure is not to be limited by what has been particularly shown and described.